U.S. patent number 11,202,521 [Application Number 16/255,617] was granted by the patent office on 2021-12-21 for pot suspension apparatus, system, and related methods.
The grantee listed for this patent is Ryan Benoit. Invention is credited to Ryan Benoit.
United States Patent |
11,202,521 |
Benoit |
December 21, 2021 |
Pot suspension apparatus, system, and related methods
Abstract
Disclosed is a pot suspension apparatus that allows a user to
safely, efficiently, and easily hang multiple pots from each other
through its center drain hole so that the pots are suspended along
the same vertical axis. The pot suspension apparatus features a rod
with a hook and an eye, wherein the hook from one rod and can hang
off of the eye of a second rod. The pot suspension apparatus also
features multiple flanges that secure a pot in place along a rod
and allow for organized and directed drainage of water through the
suspended pots.
Inventors: |
Benoit; Ryan (San Diego,
CA) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Benoit; Ryan |
San Diego |
CA |
US |
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Family
ID: |
71123561 |
Appl.
No.: |
16/255,617 |
Filed: |
January 23, 2019 |
Prior Publication Data
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Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
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US 20200205588 A1 |
Jul 2, 2020 |
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Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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29675447 |
Jan 2, 2019 |
D920709 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A01G
9/024 (20130101); A47G 7/044 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A47G
7/04 (20060101); A01G 9/02 (20180101) |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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2002000080 |
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Jan 2002 |
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JP |
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101877172 |
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Jul 2018 |
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KR |
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Other References
Gordon, Chantal Aida, "How to Turn Your Clay Pots Into a Vertical
Garden",
https://web.archive.org/web/20160525071305/https://thehorticult.com/turn--
your-clay-pots-into-a-vertical-garden-our-dark-ryewhole-foods-collabo/,
published May 25, 2016. cited by examiner.
|
Primary Examiner: Alker; Kathleen I
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Buche & Associates, P.C. Buche;
John K. Johnson; Bryce A.
Claims
I claim:
1. A pot suspension apparatus comprising: a rod with a hook on a
first end, wherein the rod is threaded on a second end; a fastener,
wherein the fastener is threaded onto the rod; an upper flange,
wherein the upper flange is secured to the rod and is further
defined by a depression within an interior of the upper flange and
an undepressed ledge, wherein the upper flange is further defined
by a central bore within the depression, wherein the upper flange
is further defined by a plurality of drain holes surrounding the
central bore within the depression; a first channel that is
disposed within the perimeter of the undepressed ledge of the
interior of the upper flange; a first o-ring gasket disposed within
the channel of the interior of the upper flange; a lower flange,
wherein the lower flange is secured to the rod and is further
defined by a depression within an interior of the lower flange and
an undepressed ledge, wherein the lower flange is further defined
by a central bore within the depression, wherein the lower flange
is further defined by a plurality of drain holes surrounding the
central bore within the depression; a second channel that is placed
within the perimeter of the undepressed ledge of the interior of
the lower flange; a second o-ring gasket that is placed within the
channel of the interior of the lower flange; a drain chamber that
is defined by the depressions in the upper flange and the lower
flange; and, an eye, wherein the eye is threaded to a bottom of the
rod.
2. The pot suspension apparatus of claim 1, wherein the rod
features a hole at a bottom.
3. The pot suspension apparatus of claim 1, wherein a pin is
inserted into a hole at a bottom of the rod.
4. The pot suspension apparatus of claim 1, wherein the fastener is
a wing nut.
5. The pot suspension apparatus of claim 1, wherein the drain holes
are approximately 3/16 of an inch in diameter.
6. A method of suspending pots comprising: obtaining a first pot
suspension apparatus comprising a rod with a hook on a first end,
wherein the rod is threaded on a second end and has a hole for a
pin, a fastener, an upper flange wherein the upper flange defined
by a depression within an interior of the upper flange and an
undepressed ledge, wherein the upper flange is further defined by a
central bore within the depression, wherein the upper flange is
further defined by a plurality of drain holes surrounding the
central bore within the depression, a first channel that is
disposed within the perimeter of the undepressed ledge of the
interior of the upper flange, a first o-ring gasket disposed within
the channel of the interior of the upper flange, a lower flange
wherein the lower flange is defined by a depression within an
interior of the lower flange and an undepressed ledge, wherein the
lower flange is further defined by a central bore within the
depression, wherein the lower flange is further defined by a
plurality of drain holes surrounding the central bore within the
depression, a second channel that is placed within the perimeter of
the undepressed ledge of the interior of the lower flange, a second
o-ring gasket that is placed within the channel of the interior of
the lower flange, a drain chamber that is defined by the
depressions in the upper flange and the lower flange, the pin, and,
an eye; obtaining a pot with a central bore; threading the fastener
onto the rod; inserting the upper flange onto the rod, wherein the
interior of the upper flange is facing away from the fastener;
inserting the pot onto the rod, wherein a bottom of an interior of
the pot is in contact with the interior of the upper flange;
inserting the lower flange onto the rod, wherein the interior of
the lower flange is in contact with a bottom of an exterior of the
pot; threading the eye onto a bottom of the rod, whereby the pot
and the flanges are secure; inserting the pin through a hole on the
bottom of the rod, wherein a threaded portion of the eye is above
the pin; obtaining a second pot suspension apparatus; and,
inserting a hook of the second pot suspension apparatus through the
eye of the first pot suspension apparatus, whereby multiple of said
pots are hanging and suspended.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
Not applicable.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
Not applicable.
THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT
Not applicable.
REFERENCE TO AN APPENDIX SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC AND
INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE OF THE MATERIAL ON THE COMPACT DISC
Not applicable.
STATEMENT REGARDING PRIOR DISCLOSURES BY THE INVENTOR OR A JOINT
INVENTOR
Reserved for a later date, if necessary.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of Invention
The disclosed subject matter is in the field of hanging pots.
Background of the Invention
The addition of plants and flowers can brighten and liven up any
environment. Many individuals use pots to decorate their interiors,
exteriors, patios, or gardens. Currently, individuals may place a
pot on a ledge to display a plant or flower or they may hang a pot
in an indoor or outdoor environment. However, there are no safe,
efficient, and easy apparatuses that allow a user to hang multiple
pots from each other to create a suspension effect, while also
facilitating drainage. Thus, a need exists for an apparatus that
can be universally used to hang pots through its center drain hole
that allows a user to hang multiple pots along the same vertical
axis. The applicant's apparatus, system, and related methods allows
a user to easily install a pot onto a pot suspension apparatus
through its drain hole and easily hang another pot suspension
apparatus from another, thus creating an effect of pots being
suspended in air.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In view of the foregoing, an object of this specification is to
disclose a pot suspension apparatus that allows pots to be easily
suspended along the same vertical axis and drain in this
configuration.
Another object of this invention is to disclose a pot suspension
apparatus that can be universally used with most pots with center
drain holes.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
Other objectives of the disclosure will become apparent to those
skilled in the art once the invention has been shown and described.
The manner in which these objectives and other desirable
characteristics can be obtained is explained in the following
description and attached figures in which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the pot suspension apparatus;
FIG. 2 is a side view of the pot suspension apparatus;
FIG. 3 is another side view of the pot suspension apparatus;
FIG. 4 is an external view of the upper flange of the pot
suspension apparatus;
FIG. 5 is an external view of the lower flange of pot suspension
apparatus;
FIG. 6 is an interior view of the upper and lower flange of the pot
suspension apparatus;
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the o-ring gasket;
FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the upper flange;
FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the lower flange;
FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the upper and lower flange in
use;
FIG. 11 is an environmental view of the pot suspension apparatus;
and,
FIG. 12 is an exploded view of the pot suspension apparatus.
It is to be noted, however, that the appended figures illustrate
only typical embodiments of this invention and are therefore not to
be considered limiting of its scope, for the invention may admit to
other equally effective embodiments that will be appreciated by
those reasonably skilled in the relevant arts. Also, figures are
not necessarily made to scale but are representative.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Disclosed is a pot suspension apparatus, system, and related
methods. In a preferred embodiment, the disclosed invention allows
a user to easily and efficiently hang multiple pots on the same
vertical axis to create a suspension-like appearance. The pot
suspension apparatus is designed for nursery planter pots with a
central hole in the bottom of the pot.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the pot
suspension apparatus. Referring to FIG. 1, the pot suspension
apparatus may be defined by a rod 10 with a hook 20 and an eye 30
that is secured to the bottom of the rod 10 via threads and a pin
70. Still referring to FIG. 1, the pot suspension apparatus is
further defined by an upper flange 40 and a lower flange 50. The
rod 10 is threaded and designed to be inserted through the central
bore of a pot. The upper and lower flanges 40,50 feature a
centrally disposed bore 100 (see FIG. 6), wherein the rod 10 is
also inserted. The upper flange his held at a certain height via
the upper flange fastener 80 and the lower flange 50 is held in
place via the eye 30. Since the rod 10 is threaded, the fastener 80
and eye 30 may be screwed onto the rod 10. The rod 10 may also be
defined by varying lengths.
The eye 30 is located at the bottom rod so that it can easily
receive the hook 20 of a second pot suspension apparatus, whereby,
the appearance of multiple pots being suspended along the same axis
is achieved.
FIG. 2 is a side view of the pot suspension apparatus. FIG. 3 is
another side view of the pot suspension apparatus. In a preferred
embodiment, the upper flange 40 is in contact with the bottom of
the interior of a pot and the lower flange 50 is in contact with
the bottom of the exterior of a pot. Accordingly, in use, the
bottom of the pot is secured in place between the upper flange 40
and the lower flange 50. Referring to FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, a fastener
80 prevents the upper flange 40 from moving upward along the rod
10. In a preferred embodiment, the fastener 80 is a wing nut.
Referring to FIG. 3, the pin is pushed and locked in place through
a small hole in the rod to keep the eye 30 secured in place, which
also aids in securing the upper and lower flanges 40, 50 and pot in
place.
FIG. 4 is a view of the exterior of the upper flange 40. Referring
to FIG. 4, the upper flange 40 also features a plurality of drain
holes 90. The drain holes 90 allow water to pass through the upper
flange 40 and through to the lower flange 50.
FIG. 5 is a view of the exterior of the lower flange 50. Referring
to FIG. 5, the lower flange 50 also features a plurality of drain
holes 90, which allow water from the upper flange 40 to pass
through the lower flange 50 and into the environment below the pot
suspension apparatus. In a preferred embodiment, the drain holes 90
are arranged in a concentric circle around the central bore 100
(see FIG. 6) and each drain hole is approximately 3/16'' in
diameter.
FIG. 6 is a view of the interior of the upper and lower flanges 40,
50. FIG. 7 is a top view of an o-ring gasket 60. Referring to FIG.
6, the upper and lower flanges 40, 50 features a central bore 100,
which receives the rod 10, wherein the upper and lower flanges 40,
50 may be installed onto the pot suspension apparatus and travel
along the rod 10 to accommodate varying thicknesses of pots. The
central bore 100 may also aid in draining water along the rod 10.
In one embodiment, the central bore 100 may be approximately
11/32'' to 13/32'' in diameter. Still referring to FIG. 6, the
interior of the upper and lower flanges 40, 50 features a channel
61. In a preferred embodiment, the channel 61, is designed to house
an o-ring gasket 60. The o-ring gasket 60 prevents water from
escaping out of the sides of the upper and lower flanges 40, 50 and
contains the water flow to within the drain holes 90 and the
central bore 100. The gasket 60 may be composed of rubber.
The upper and lower flanges 40, 50 may be composed of metal,
plastic, clay, ceramic, resin, or a weather resistant
composite.
FIG. 8 is an environmental view of the pot suspension apparatus in
use. Referring to FIG. 8, the pot suspension apparatus may house
multiple pots along the same vertical axis at varying heights.
In use, a user may suspend multiple pots by obtaining a threaded
rod 10 with a hook 20. The user then screws the fastener onto the
rod 10 to a height that will accommodate the thickness of a
selected pot. The user then slides or threads the upper flange 40
onto the rod 10 via the central bore 100, wherein the interior of
the upper flange 40 with a gasket 60 is facing away from the
fastener 80. The user then inserts the rod 10 with the fastener 80
and upper flange 40 through the central bore of the selected pot,
wherein the gasket 60 and the interior of the upper flange 40 is in
contact with the bottom of the interior of the pot. The user then
slides or threads the lower flange 50 onto the rod 10 via the
central bore 100, wherein the interior of the lower flange 50 and
gasket of the lower flange 50 is in contact with the bottom of the
exterior of the pot. The user then screws the eye 30 in place below
the lower flange 50, wherein the eye 30 prevents the upper flange
40 and pot from falling off of the rod. The user then inserts a pin
through a hole on the bottom of the rod 10 to further secure the
eye 30 in place. Finally, the user obtains a second pot hanging
apparatus (either fully assembled with a pot by following the
aforementioned steps or waiting to be assembled with a pot) and
simply inserts the hook 20 of the second pot hanging apparatus into
the eye 30 of the first pot hanging apparatus, wherein the second
pot hanging apparatus safely and securely hangs from the first pot
hanging apparatus. This may be repeated several times to hang
multiple pots.
Referring to FIGS. 8 through 10, in a preferred embodiment, the
upper and lower flange 40, 50 feature a drain chamber 110. In a
preferred embodiment, the drain chamber 110 is recessed in the
upper and lower flange 40, 50 and is disposed within the o-ring
channel 61, wherein the drain holes 90 and central bore 100 are
located within the boundaries of the drain chamber 110. Referring
to FIG. 10, as previously mentioned, the drain holes 90 allow water
to pass through the drain holes 90 of the upper flange 40 into the
upper flange's 40 drain chamber 110, down the pot's central drain
hole around the rod 10, into the drain chamber 110 of the lower
flange 50, and out through the drain holes 90 of the lower flange
50.
The upper and lower flanges 40, 50 may be composed of metal,
plastic, clay, ceramic, resin, or a weather resistant composite.
The rod 10, eye 30, hook 20, and nuts or fasteners may be composed
of metal, plastic, clay, resin, or a weather and UN resistant
composite.
FIG. 11 is an environmental view of the pot suspension apparatus in
use. Referring to FIG. 11, the pot suspension apparatus may house
multiple pots along the same vertical axis at varying heights.
FIG. 12 is an exploded view of the pot suspension apparatus in use.
Generally, in use, a user may suspend multiple pots by obtaining a
threaded rod 10 with a hook 20. The user then screws the fastener
80 onto the rod 10 to a height that will accommodate the thickness
of a selected pot. The user then slides or threads the upper flange
40 onto the rod 10 via the central bore 100, wherein the interior
of the upper flange 40 with a gasket 60 is facing away from the
fastener 80. The user then inserts the rod 10 with the fastener 60
and upper flange 40 through the central drain hole of the selected
pot, wherein the gasket 60 and the interior of the upper flange 40
is in contact with the bottom of the interior of the pot. The user
then slides or threads the lower flange 50 onto the rod 10 via the
central bore 100, wherein the gasket 60 of the lower flange 50 is
in contact with the bottom of the exterior of the pot. The user
then screws the eye 30 in place below the lower flange 50, wherein
the eye 30 prevents the upper flange 40 and lower flange 50 and pot
from falling off of the rod 10. The user may then insert a pin
through a hole on the bottom of the rod 10 to prevent the eye 30
from unthreading and causing the pots to fall. Finally, the user
obtains a second pot hanging apparatus (either fully assembled with
a pot by following the aforementioned steps or waiting to be
assembled with a pot) and simply inserts the hook 20 of the second
pot hanging apparatus into the eye 30 of the first pot hanging
apparatus, wherein the second pot hanging apparatus safely and
securely hangs from the first pot hanging apparatus. This may be
repeated several times to hang multiple pots.
This pot suspension apparatus also allows a user to easily move a
pot from being suspended from another pot to being suspended from
an eye on a ceiling or other support.
Although the method and apparatus is described above in terms of
various exemplary embodiments and implementations, it should be
understood that the various features, aspects and functionality
described in one or more of the individual embodiments are not
limited in their applicability to the particular embodiment with
which they are described, but instead might be applied, alone or in
various combinations, to one or more of the other embodiments of
the disclosed method and apparatus, whether or not such embodiments
are described and whether or not such features are presented as
being a part of a described embodiment. Thus the breadth and scope
of the claimed invention should not be limited by any of the
above-described embodiments.
Terms and phrases used in this document, and variations thereof,
unless otherwise expressly stated, should be construed as
open-ended as opposed to limiting. As examples of the foregoing:
the term "including" should be read as meaning "including, without
limitation" or the like, the term "example" is used to provide
exemplary instances of the item in discussion, not an exhaustive or
limiting list thereof, the terms "a" or "an" should be read as
meaning "at least one," "one or more," or the like, and adjectives
such as "conventional," "traditional," "normal," "standard,"
"known" and terms of similar meaning should not be construed as
limiting the item described to a given time period or to an item
available as of a given time, but instead should be read to
encompass conventional, traditional, normal, or standard
technologies that might be available or known now or at any time in
the future. Likewise, where this document refers to technologies
that would be apparent or known to one of ordinary skill in the
art, such technologies encompass those apparent or known to the
skilled artisan now or at any time in the future.
The presence of broadening words and phrases such as "one or more,"
"at least," "but not limited to" or other like phrases in some
instances shall not be read to mean that the narrower case is
intended or required in instances where such broadening phrases
might be absent. The use of the term "assembly" does not imply that
the components or functionality described or claimed as part of the
module are all configured in a common package. Indeed, any or all
of the various components of a module, whether control logic or
other components, might be combined in a single package or
separately maintained and might further be distributed across
multiple locations.
Additionally, the various embodiments set forth herein are
described in terms of exemplary block diagrams, flow charts and
other illustrations. As will become apparent to one of ordinary
skill in the art after reading this document, the illustrated
embodiments and their various alternatives might be implemented
without confinement to the illustrated examples. For example, block
diagrams and their accompanying description should not be construed
as mandating a particular architecture or configuration.
All original claims submitted with this specification are
incorporated by reference in their entirety as if fully set forth
herein.
* * * * *
References